Refuse truck with packer and ejector plate



Jan. 15 1957 w. A. WILLIAMS 2,777,588

REFUSE TRUCK WITH PACKER AND EIJECTOR PLATE Filed June 14, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 05 Q a: Q

v Q Q N 3* Q m k g N) O S N w M Q William A Williams IN VEN TOR.

Jan. 15, 1957 w. A. WILLIAMS 2,777,588

REFUSE TRUCK WITH PACKER AND EJECTOR PLATE Filed June 14, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 15, 1957 w. A. WILLIAMS REFUSE TRUCK WITH PACKER AND EJECTOR PLATE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 14, 1954 r I W s m m A Jan. 15, 1957 w, WlLLIAMS 2,777,588

REFUSE 'mucx WITH PACKER AND EJECTOR PLATE Filed June 14, 1954 5 sheets-sheet 5 William A. Williams IN VEN TOR.

- mww United States Patent REFUSE TRUCK WITH PACKER AND EJECTOR PLATE William A. Williams, San Antonio, Tex, assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Seal-Press Inc., a corporation of Texas Application June 14, 1954, Serial No. 436,445

Claims. (Cl. 214-82) This invention relates to a refuse unit generally and has for its primary object the provision of improvements in refuse trucks of the type having a longitudinally disposed cylindrical body and a combined compression and ejector plate longitudinally movable therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved refuse truck'which incorporates an inclined end gate member cooperating with an oppositely inclined ejector plate such that a much more eflicient compaction or compression of refuse is effected Within the body between the ejector plate and the end gate by virtue of their inclined relationship which will permit the maximum amount of refuse to be stored within a given volume of the cylindrical body.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved refuse truck of the type having a longitudinally disposed cylindrical body having an open rearward end provided with an end gate and a combined compression and ejector plate movable longitudinally within the body wherein a track member is disposed wholly within the body and wherein no part of the ejector plate projects through the body but is carried entirely upon the track member.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved refuse truck in conformity with the foregoing object wherein the ejector plate is provided with a pair of forwardly extending carriage plate which serve to rigidify the ejector plate and which also carry a series of lower members engageable with the track member for guided movement therealong.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved refuse truck having a horizontally disposed cylindrical body provided with side openings adjacent the forward end and with a rear end closure gate hingedly secured thereto and having its rearward end upwardly inclined such that the end gate when open, will be suspended by its own weight in uncovering position for cooperation with a forwardly inclined projector plate movable longitudinally within the body from aposition adjacent the forward end thereof whereby refuse may be disposed between the ejector plate and the end gate for subsequent movement under the action of rearward movement of the ejector plate to a compressed and evenly packed in position between the closed end gate and the ejector plate.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved refuse truck in conformity with the foregoing objects wherein an endless flexible cable is provided for moving the ejector plate longitudinally Within the body and wherein a cable take-up mechanism is mounted on the forward side of the ejector plate readily accessible through one of the forward side openings in the body to maintain the cable in taut condition at all times.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved refuse truck of the type having a cylindrical body and an ejector plate movable longitudinally therein wherein the ejector plate is stabilized and its mounting "ice is enhanced by the provision of outrigger rollers disposed at circumferentially spaced points on the ejector plate on opposite sides of a main mounting assembly positioned at the lowermost portion of the ejector plate.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a sideelevational view of the refuse truck constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a rear end elevational view of the unit shown in Figure 1; a

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken substantially along the plane of section line 33 of Figure 2 showing details of construction on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the ejector plate moved in forward position toward the end gate;

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along the plane of section line 55 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the truck chassis showing the details of the ejector plate power mechanism;

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the plane of section line 77 in Figure 4 showing details of the cable take-up mechanism;

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the end gate latching dogs;

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical section showing details of one of the latching mechanisms for the forward side opening closure;

Figure 10 is a rear elevational view of the truck with the end gate;

Figure 11 is an enlarged section taken substantially along the plane in section line '11--11 in Figure 2;

Figure 12 is an enlarged section taken substantially along the plane of section line 12-12 in Figure 2; and

Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the automatic limiting mechanism for the ejector plate.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 10 indicates generally a more or less con ventional truck assembly incorporating the usual cab 12, longitudinal frame rails 12 and 14, rear supporting and driving wheels 16 and the front steering wheels 18. As seen most clearly in Figure 6, the truck has a conventional transmission assembly 20 provided with a power take-01f auxiliary transmission mechanism 22 having a power take-01f shaft assembly 24 extending therefrom to a special forward and reverse transmission mechanism 26 supplied for the purpose of practicing this invention. 1

The details of the transmission mechanism 26 form no part of this invention and may for the purposes thereof take any form of power transmitting device which is capable of being shifted between forward and reverse positions for imparting opposite rotational drive to the power shaft 28 and for being selectively positioned in an intermediate or central position such as to entirely interrupt the power flow between the shafts 24 and 28.

The shaft 28 has a universal joint connection at its opposite end to the transmission 26 and to a drive shaft 39 respectively, the drive shaft 30 being suitably journalled by means of bearing assemblies 32 and 34 to the side rail member 14 of'the truck chassis and between the opposite side rail members 12 and 14 thereof. The rearward or free end of the shaft 30 is provided with a sprocket over which a chain member 34 is trained which also engages a sprocket on a reduction gear shaft 36 for driving the same and it will be readily apparent that the reduction gear shaft 36 forms a part of a gear reduction .seen most clearly in Figures 3Vand 4, take the form of angle iron members or any other suitable structural shape. Adjacent the free end of the shaft 40 is a sprocket mem ber 48 which is alignedwith a further sprocket member 50 rigid with a stub shaft 52 which is journalled on the rail member14 and project inward therefrom. An end less flexible chain member 54 is trained about the two sprockets 48 and 58 and is moved by the sprockets 48 by virtue of the fact that this sprocket is rigid with the shaft 4% whenever the Winding drum 42 is operated through the auxiliary transmission assembly 26. The chain 54 forms part of the control assembly which will be more fully described hereinafter. j A horizontally disposed cylindrical body assembly is indicated generally by the reference character 56 and, as will be seen most clearly in Figure '5, the truck frame rail members 12 and-14 maybe provided along their up per surfaces with additional structural frame members 58 and 69 for positioning the body 56 at the proper vertical height and it is 'to be understood that the body 56 is rigidly secured to the members 58 and'60 which are, in turn, rigidly secured to the frame members 12 and 14 such that the body is firmly and securely fastened to the truck chassis. V

The body preferably takes the form of a cylindrical casing 62 which is provided at spaced points therealong with annular reinforcing straps 64 and additionally with circumferentially extendingreinforcing channels 66 for rigidifying the same. The reinforcing units 64 and 66 are provided in such numbers in such proximity as to impart the necessary rigidity to the body assembly 56 to prevent its distortion during actual use and to otherwise provide a durable, rigid and lasting body assembly.

The body 56 is provided adjacent its forward end with opposite side openings 68 which are circumferentially elongated and which permit ready disposition of refuse and trash within the interior of the body assembly 56. Sliding door members 7tl'and 72 are provided for selec' tively closing the low'er portion of each side opening and, as will be seen most clearly in Figure 5, the innermost door 72 is provided with outwardly extending flanges 74 and 76 at its opposite end and the outermost door 70 is provided with inwardly directed flanges 78 and 80 at its opposite end which cooperate for abutting engagement such that the doors 72 and 76 are movable from the overlapping open position as shown in the left hand side of Figure to the mutually extended closing position shown in the right hand side of Figure 5. That is, when the doors are closed, the respective flanges 74 and-8t} thereon are engaged in abutting relationship with the doors in mutually extended position to close a portion of the opening 68 with which they are associated equal to their combined length and when these doors are in open position, the doors are disposed in completely overlapped position with their respective flanges 74, 78 and 76, 80 engaged in the manner shown. It will be also noted that when the doors are in the open position, the flange 78 on the outer door 70 abuts the lower edge 82 of the opening 68 to limit the lower position of the doors and that a stop member 84 is provided for engagement with the flange 76 of the inner door 72 to limit its downward movement to that shown in the left hand side of Figure 5.

As seen most clearly in Figure 9, the doors are slidable within a single track between a pair of collar members 84and the opposite side edges of the opening 68. To maintain the door in closed position, the collar 84 is provided with an opening 86 through which an eccentric cam member. 88 projects and which is pivotally carried on the pin 90 secured to the assembly 56 such that manipulation of the handle member 92 will frictionally engage the cam 88 against the door 72 to maintain the same in closed position. A suitable sliding bolt member 94 is carried by the outer door 70 and is projectable into a keeper opening on the assembly 56 when this door is in the closed position.

To close the upper portion of the opening 68, a pair of slidable door members 96 and 98 are provided for movement within a trackway 100 formed between the casing 62 and a semi-circular flange member 102 in the manner shown most clearly in Figure 5. Suitable sliding bolt members 104 and 166 may be associated with the doors 96 and 98 to maintain them in open as well as closed position as desired. The lower edges of the doors 96 and 98 are provided with outwardly projecting flanges 108 for engagement with the upper end flanges 78 of the outer door 78 when all the doors are in closed position.

As seen most clearly in Figures 3 and 4, the rearward end of the body 56 is truncated or cut at an angle such that its rear end edge is rearwardly inclined and an end gate assembly indicated generally by the reference character 110 is provided for thisend of the body. The end gate takes the form ofan elliptical plate 112 provided at its upper portion with a hinge plate member 114 pivotally secured as by pintles 116 carried by a hinge member 118 rigidly secured to the body 56 directly to the casing 62 thereof. Thus, the end gate assembly 110 is movable between the open or dotted line positions shown in Figure 4 to the closed positionshown in that same figure. For the purpose of rigidifying the end gate plate 112, the same is provided with'a peripherally extending annular reinforcing flange member 120 which, as is shown, is of angle configuration in cross section and, a pair of spaced vertical upright members 122 and 124 are alsoprovided as wellas a series of horizontal reinforcing strips 126 and 128 disposed on opposite sides of the uprights 122 and 124 and extending respectively between these uprights and the reinforcing flange member 120. The uprights 122 and 124 may be further provided with cross brace members 130 and 132 for further rigidifying the plate 112. It is to be understood that the various members 122, 124, 126, 128, 136) and 132 are preferably formed from strap members which are rigidly secured directlyto the plate 112 and which extend at right angles thereto for effecting the most rigid bracing thereof.

Disposed longitudinally within the casing 62 and rigidly secured to the lower most portion thereof is a track member 134 which is preferably of H-shape in cross section providing upper and lower flanges 136 and 138 respectively which are interconnected by the web portion 140. The lower flange 138 is rigidly secured to the inner surface of the casing 62 and it will be seen that the trackmember extends substantially the entire extent of the body 56. An ejector plate assembly indicated generally by the reference character 142 is movable longitudinally within the body on the track member 134 and for this purpose the ejector plate proper 144 is provided with a pair of spaced parallel carriage plates 146 extending forwardly therefrom" and attached rigidly thereto, each of which rotatably carries a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers or guide wheels 148 and 150 which are received between the upper and lower flanges of the track member 134 but are engageable with only one of the flanges at a time. That is, thediameter of the rollers 148 and 150 are slightly less than the spacing between the opposed surfaces of the flanges .136 and'138.

Additionally, each carriage plate 146 carries an upper roller member 152 and 154 which rest upon and engage the upper flanges 136 of the track member 134. Extending between and rigidly interconnecting the carriage plate 146 is a guide rod member 156 which, as-shown, is of tubular configuration but may take any desired shape but is preferably formed such that its outer surface. is

arcuate and smooth, the purpose of which will be presently apparent. I

The forward face of the plate 144 is provided with a series of vertical upright reinforcing members 158 and 160 to which the forward end of the carriage plate 146 may be rigidly secured and a pair of vertical reinforcing members 162 are rigidly secured at their upper ends to the upper portion of the plate 144 and at their lower end to a horizontal cross bar 164. The cross bar 164 is rigidly secured in its central portion to the carriage plate 146 and the outer ends of this cross bar are rigidly secured to forwardly projecting arcuate plates 166 and 168 rigidly secured to and extending forwardly from the plate 144. For the purpose of further rigidifying the plate 144, a series of horizontal reinforcing plate members 170 are rigidly connected at their rearwards ends to the plate 144 and extend therefrom to one of the various vertical reinforcing members 162. v

At this point, it is to be noted that the plate 144 is forwardly inclined such that the end gate 112 and the plate 144 are disposed substantially in V-shaped configuration. This is of extreme importance inasmuch as this particular relationship between the end gate 112 and the ejector plate 144 will effect the most uniform and desirable compaction or compression of material disposed between these two members when the ejector plate 144 is moved by the suitable power means hereinafter described toward the end gate while the latter is in the closed position. The operation of the ejector plate and end gate 112 are such as to force trash and refuse, by virtue of their inclined position and more particularly by virtue of their mutually inclined position, to be compressed as densely in the uppermost portion of the interior of the body as it is compressed in the region of the lower portion of the body. That is, the angular disposition of the plates 112 and 144 will crowd the refuse or trash upwardly within the body and prevent the formation of air pockets or a loosely packed condition within the uppermost region of the cylindrical body. Furthermore, when the end gate 110 is released from its closed position to permit ejection of the trash disposed within the body, there is no surface on the end gate which will permit the refuse or trash to cling thereto and be retained within the refuse unit and, in conjunction therewith, the inclination of the ejector plate 144 will likewise present no surface to which the trash may cling. Furthermore, since the lowermost portion of the ejector plate 144 is more rearwardly disposed than the uppermost portion thereof, the trash while being ejected and at that point Where the ejector plate is at its rearmost portion of travel, will direct trash rearwardly and outwardly of the body to effect a thorough and complete cleaning of the interior thereof.

For the purpose of maintaining the end gate 112 in closed position, a series of latch dog members 172 are provided. As seen most clearly in Figure 8, a pair of bracket plates 174 and 176 are secured between one of the channel pieces 66 and the end angle member 173 extending peripherally around adjacent the rear end of the body casing 62 and a hinge pin 180 is carried between the bracket plates to which the threaded end of a bolt member 182 is pivotally secured. The peripherally extending reinforcing flange member 120 on the end gate plate 112 carries a plurality of notched latchingears 184 whose bifurcated end portions project radially'therefrom to receive therebetween the threaded end portion of the bolt 182. A threaded sleeve 186 is threadedly engaged on each of the bolt members 182 and a crank assembly 188 is associated therewith for ease of manipulation of this sleeve such that the same may be'threaded in opposite directions along the bolts 182. In this manner, it will be readily apparent that manipulation of the crank assembly 188 in a direction to thread thesleeve 1-86 away from the members 184 will permit the bolt 182 to be swung about its pivot 180 such as to permit the end 'gate'llfl to swing by its own weight to the open position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. Of course, when it is desired to close the door, it is merely pushed against the rear end of the body 56 and the bolts 182 are swung into position for disposition between the bifurcated ends of the brackets 184 and the crank assemblies 188 are rotated to securely engage the sleeve 186 in the ears 184 to firmly lock the end gate in closed position.

For the purpose of preventing liquids from running out the rear end of the truck while the end gate is closed, a semi-circular gasket member 190 is disposed throughout the lower portion of the end gate and is carried by the casing 62 by virtue of its disposition between a semi-circular L-shaped member 192 secured to the casing in the manner shown most clearly in Figure 11. Thus, when the end gate is closed, the forward surface thereof will engage the seal or gasket 192 and prevent the escape of liquids.

For the purpose of moving the ejector assembly 142 longitudinally within the body 56, a pair of guide pulley members 194 and 196 are journalled adjacent the opposite ends of the track member 134 between a pair of spaced plate members 198 and 200, respectively. in this respect, it will be noted that the web portion of the track member 134 will have to be cut-away in the region of the pulleys 194 and 196 and that both the upper and lower flanges of the track member will have to be notched to permit the positioning of the pulleys.

An endless flexible cable 202 is wrapped one or more times around the winding drum 4-2 to an intermediate portion thereof and its opposite ends extend forward and rearwardly respectively from the winding drum for disposition over the guide pulleys 194 and 196 while the free ends of the cable are dead ended to the ejector as sembly 142.

One end of the cable 202 extends around the previously mentioned guide rod 156 and is securely fastened thereto while the other end of the cable passes underneath the guide rod and extends upwardly therefrom to project through a spool member 204 journalled in one of the carriage plates 146. A set screw 206 extends longitudinally of the spool 204 and frictionally engages the end of the cable 202 and maintains the same in connection with the spool in the manner shown most clearly in Figure 7. A housing 208 is rigidly secured to the ejector assembly and carries the worm 210 rotatably therein which engages with a sprocket member 212 rigid with the spool 204 such that rotation of the worm 210 will impart rotation to the spool 204 and consequent winding of the associated free end of the cable 202 therearound. The forward end of the worm 210 projects from the casing 208 and is provided thereat with a hand wheel member 214 for manipulation by an operator of the refuse unit such as to take-up slack from the cable assembly 202 and maintain the same in taut condition at all times. it is desiredto take-up slack in the cable 202, the ejector plate assembly 142 is stopped in its motion just rearwardly of the side opening 68 in the body such that an operator may reach through one of the side openings and manipulate the hand wheel 214 to effect the slack take-up.

Thus, the guide rod 156 serves not only to rigidity and strengthen the ejector assembly by interconnecting the carriage plates 146 but also serve to properly guide one end of the cable 202 such that the slack take-up action may be eifectively executed.

' The rear guide pulley 194 may be provided with a cover member 216 which is secured to the upper flange of the track assembly 134 and is provided with but a single aperture permitting the passage of the cable 202 therethrough to minimize the passage of fluid or liquid outwardly of the body assembly in the region of the guide pulley 194. a

As previously mentioned, the auxiliary transmission in this respect, it will be noted that when.

assembly 26 is capable of imparting opposite rotational motion to the winding drum 42 and is also capable of being disposed in a neutral position to interrupt the power transmission to the winding drum. To aifect the control of this transmission assembly, the horizontal operating rod 216 projects through the transmission casing and is provided with suitable mechanism interiorly thereof for shifting the transmission mechanism between its operative and neutral position. A pivoted control 1 member 217 is provided in the interior of the cab 12 for operating the transmission 26 as desired and an exterior control member is also provided which takes the form of hand crank members 218 disposed on opposite sides of the truck and rigidly secured to a cross shaft memoer 22b in the manner shown most clearly in Figure 1 and Figure 3. A bell crank member 222 is rigidly secured to an intermediate point on the cross shaft 220 and its lower end is pivotally secured to the rearmost point of the control shaft 216 While its upper end is provided with a control link member 224 which extends therefrom to terminate in a sleeve portion 226 (Figure 13) surrounding and circumscribing the previously mentioned flexible chain member 54. The chain member 54 is provided with a pair of stop members 228 which, as shown most clearly in Figure 13, are preferably of U-shaped configuration and are disposed in straddling relation to the chain 54 and serve toabut against the portion 226 of the control link 224 to move the same in a direction corresponding to the engagement of one of the stop members 228 with the sleeve portion 226. The stop members 228 are so positioned on the chain 54 that the cross bar to forward and rear limit positions of the ejector assembly 242.

The operation of the stop assembly, then the control link 224 is such as to move the transmission assembly 26 to a neutral position from either in forwarder reverse drive positions. In other words, the stop member 228 will arrest the motion of the ejector plate either at the extreme forward end thereof or the extreme rearward end of the body 56 to prevent overloading of the cable 202 and consequent breakage of some of theseparts of the mechanism. I

The forward end of the body 56 is preferably open or at least a portion thereof is preferably open and may be covered with foraminous material 230 to prevent the ingress of insects or the like. The truck is provided, of course, with a control lever member 232 for selectively engaging the power take-01f mechanism previously described, as is conventional. p

'In operation of the'refuse unit, it will be appreciated that the ejector assembly 142 is disposed normally while loading of the unit at its forward end position immediately adjacent the forward end of the body 56 such that trash may be freely loaded into the interior'of the body through the side openings 68. The transmission '26 is of course at this time disposed in the neutral position. When the operator has completed the loading, he manipulates one of the hand lever members 217 to start the rearward motion of the ejector assembly 142. This will, or" course, effect a compaction or compression of the trash between the ejector plate 142 and the end gate llll. To speed up this action, the operator may manipulate a suitable cammed throttle member 234 located exteriorly of the truck bed adjacent the rear portion thereof as can be'seen most clearly in Figurel andas soon as he has determined that the compaction process is complete, he will manipulate the control member 217 to a position to effect forward movement of the ejector assembly 142.

At this time since the automatic control mechanism is provided, he may re-enter the cab of the truck and move the same to the next point for collection of trash. 'In the meantime, the ejector plate assembly 142 will move to'its forward position and the automatic control mechanism will stop the ejector assembly thereat in position to receive the next load of trash. 7

During unloading,it is merely necessary to release the latch mechanism 172 of the endgate and manip'ulate the control assembly 217 and move the ejector assembly 142 rearwardly and the provision of the automatic control means will obviate still further manipula tion of the control 217 since the ejector plate assembly will be stopped at its rearwardmost position. I

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a refuse truck, a horizontally disposed body having forward and rearward ends, said rearward end being open, an end gate hingedly secured adjacent its uppermost portion to said rearward end of the cylindrical body and forming a closure therefor, the edge of said body defining its rearward end being rearwardly inclined from a vertical plane so that the uppermost portion thereof projects beyond the lowermost portion and said end gate is correspondingly rearwardly inclined, an ejector plate movable longitudinally within said body, said ejector plate being sloped with respect to said vertical plane oppositely from said end gate whereby the ejector plate and end gate are disposed in mutually convergent relation, a track longitudinally arranged in said body along the bottom and in the center thereof, said track having generally horizontal flanges which protrude on opposite sides thereof, and guides on said ejector plate and movably disposed on said flanges to constrain the motionof said ejector plate as it travels in said body.

2. In a refuse truck, a horizontally disposed body having an open rearward end, an angularly inclined gate in said rearward end, an elongated track member secured longitudinally within and along the bottom and longitudinal center of said body, said member having a pairof wheel receiving sides, an ejector plate angularly inclined oppositely from said gate and movable longitudi nally within said body, a pair of forwardly projecting carriage plates secured to said inclined ejector plate and disposed in said sides of said track member, at least one pair of longitudinally spaced Wheels rctatably carried by each carriage plate and engaged with said track member, a winding drum journalled transversely of and secured beneath said body, a guide pulley rotatably mounted at each end of said track member, a cable having an intermediate portion wound about said drum and issuing in opposite directions therefrom to be trained about said guide pulleys with its free ends secured to said ejector plate, and means forselectively rotating said winding drum in opposite directions, said means including mechanism for automatically limiting the movement of said ejector plate. I

3. In a refuse truck, a horizontally disposed elongated body having anopen rearward end, an elongated track member secured longitudinally within and, along the bottom of said body, an ejector plate movable longitudinally within said body, a pair of forwardly projecting carriage plates secured to said ejector plate and disposed on opposite sides of said track member, at least one pair of longitudinally spaced wheels rotatably carried by each carriage plate and engaged with said'track member, a Winding drum journalled transversely of and secured beneath said body, a guide pulley rotatably mounted at each end of said track member, a cable having an intermediate portion wound about said drum and -issuing in opposite directions therefrom to be trained about said guide pulleys with its free ends secured to said ejector plate, a circular guide bar rigidly secured at its opposite ends to said carriage plates, at slack take-up spool ro tatably secured to said ejector plate above said guide bar, one end of said cable passing beneath said guide bar and secured to said spool, a sprocket rigid with said spool, a worm carried by said ejector plate and meshing with said sprocket for selectively turning said spool, a hand wheel on said worm for rotating the same, and means for selectively rotating said winding drum in opposite directions.

4. In a refuse truck, a horizontally disposed elongated body having an open rearward end, an elongated track member secured longitudinally within and along the bottom of said body, an ejector plate movable longitudinally within said body, a pair of forwardly projecting carriage plates secured to said ejector plate and disposed on opposite sides of said track member, at least one pair of longitudinally spaced wheels rotatably carried by each carriage plate and engaged with said track member, a winding drum journalled transversely of and secured beneath said body, a guide pulley rotatably mounted at each end of said track member, a cable having an intermediate portion wound about said drum and issuing in opposite directions therefrom to be trained about said guide pulleys with its free ends secured to said ejector plate, and means for selectively rotating said winding drum in opposite directions, said means including mechanism for automatically limiting the movement of ejector plate, said mechanism including an endless flexible chain operatively connected to said winding drum, a control member including a part circumscribing said chain, and a pair of stop members secured at spaced points to said chain for engaging said part and moving said control member to winding drum arresting position.

5. In a refuse truck, a horizontally disposed elongated body having an open rearward end, a gate in said end, a track member of H-shaped cross section having upper and lower flanges interconnected by a web, said track member being longitudinally disposed within said body with its lower flange rigidly secured to the bottom thereof, an angularly inclined ejector plate disposed transversely within said body and movable longitudinally thereof, said ejector plate having a pair of carriage plates rigidly secured thereto and extending forwardly therefrom on opposite sides of said track member, a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers carried by each of said carriage plates and engaging said lower flange of the track member, a third roller carried by each of said carriage plates engaging the upper flange of said track member, and means for moving said ejector plate longitudinally within said body along said track member.

6. In a refuse truck, a horizontally disposed elongated body having an open rearward end, a track member of H-shaped cross section having upper and lower flanges interconnected by a web, said track member being longitudinally disposed within said body with its lower flange rigidly secured to the bottom thereof, an ejector plate disposed transversely within said body and movable longitudinally thereof, said ejector plate having a pair of carriage plates rigidly secured thereto and extending forwardly therefrom on opposite sides of said track member, a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers carried by each of said carriage plates and engaging said lower flange of the track member, a third roller carried by each of said carriage plates engaging the upper flange of said track member, a pair of track strips rigidly secured to the inner surface of said body and extending in spaced parallel relation to the track member on opposite sides thereof, a pair of rollers carried by said ejector plate engaging said track strips, and means for moving said ejector plate longitudinally within said body along said track member.

7. In a refuse truck, a horizontally disposed body having forward and rearward ends, said rearward end being open, an end gate hingedly secured adjacent its uppermost portion to said rearward end of the cylindrical body and forming a closure therefor, the edge of said body defining its rearward end being rearwardly inclined from a vertical plane such that the uppermost portion thereof projects beyond the lowermost portion and such that said end gate is correspondingly rearwardly inclined, an elongated track secured longitudinally within and along the bottom of said body and having generally horizontal flanges projecting laterally thereof, an ejector plate within said body and provided with guide means movable along said flanges of track, said ejector plate being sloped with respect to said vertical plane and oppositely from said end gate in order to form a refuse chamber between said rearward end and said ejector plate which converges downwardly and inwardly so that upon actuation of the ejector plate in one direction the refuse in the chamber is compacted inwardly and upwardly.

8. In a refuse truck, a horizontally disposed elongated body having forward and rearward ends, said rearward end being open, an end gate hingedly secured adjacent its uppermost portion to said rearward end of the cylindrical body and forming a closure therefor, the edge of said body defining its rearward end being rearwardly inclined such that the uppermost portion thereof projects beyond the lowermost portion and such that said end gate is correspondingly rearwardly inclined, an elongated track secured longitudinally within andalong the bottom of said body, an ejector plate within said body movable along said track, said ejector plate and rearward end being inclined with respect to a vertical plane, said plate being sloped oppositely from said end gate, the ejector plate and end gate disposed in mutually convergent relation, a pair of forwardly projecting carriage plates secured to said ejector plate and disposed on opposite sides of said track, and at least one pair of longitudinally spaced wheels carried by each carriage plate and engaged with said track.

9. The refuse truck of claim 7 wherein said ejector plate is provided with carriage plates on which said guide means are mounted, additional flanges protruding generally horizontally and laterally from said track and spaced from the first mentioned flanges, and additional guide means on said carriage plates mounted for guided movement on said additional flanges.

10. The refuse truck of claim 9 and means to propel said ejector plate, said ejector plate propelling means including a cable and winding drum, guide means for the cable carried in advance of said ejector plate and on at least one of said carriage plates, and a slack takeup device for said cable carried by one of said carriage plates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,961,587 Hulley et a1. June 5, 1934 2,002,993 Ehrick et 'al May 28, 1935 2,179,726 Lewis et a1. Nov. 14, 1939 2,258,988 Le Laurin Oct. 14, 1941 2,339,360 Sicard Jan. 18, 1944 2,557,003 Le Laurin June 12, 1951 2,630,928 McCombs Mar. 10, 1953 2,726,776 Myers Dec. 13,1955 

